Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-02-03
NEARER NINETY MILLIONS
than fifteen millions.

NEARER NINETY MILLIONS
than fifteen millions.
Mr.. Feller said that in all calculations
as to revenue and its reductions the Senate
should take into consideration and should
believe that the Executive Department
of the Government would enforce the sur
plus law. 1t was said that the country was
lull of complaints ~ TO the great
amount of money coming into
the Treasury. He had heard no complaint
of that kind. lie did not believe that any
considerable portion of the people were to-
day complaining that too much money
was going into the Treasury. lie did not
believe that one per cent. Of the people oi
the United States were complaining of the
rates of taxation either on imports or in
ternal revenue. But the complaint was
that when this money came into
the Treasury it was locked
up and kept where the public
did not have the use of it, and that il
ceased to be of any practical benefit To the
people. There were plenty of Opportuni-
ties, wise opportunities to pay out OF the
Treasury the excess of revenue that was
now there and all that would come in next
year, even if there should he n surplus of
nnety-nine millions. 4 few days ago, the
Admiral of the Navy had sent TO distin-
guished member of the House a letter in
which the astounding statement was made
that the United States Government had got
ONLY ONE SHIP
that could in three months do service, and
that ship had only one single gun. The
Dolphin was the only vessel that the gov
ernment had got which could be put TO
sea in three months. And yet some per
sons were crying out against surplus in
the Treasury The country WAS without
Notifications on the coast. All the great
seaports of the country could lie raided by
any fifth rate naval poverty Chill,
Japan, or Spain. Not only that, but every
city on the great lakes was equally
exposed. Under the treaty with Great
Britain the United States had agreed TO
keep upon those lakes but one war vessel,
and he understood that that vessel to-day
had only a cast iron gun, which was used
Ia announce the rising aud the setting OF
the sun and was scarcely good for that
England could put on the great lakes
fleet which
COULD DESTROY EVERY TOWN on THOSE
LAKES IN TwENTY-FoUR HOURS.
BY the WelIand canal England had &C
cess to the lakes, and could send the iron
clads and war vessels and bombard Chi
cago, Detroit, Cleveland and all the great
cities of the lakes. Was it not wisdom,
therefore, or was it worth while for the
Senate to spend its time in determining
what should be reduction Of the revenue
when there was necessity for such vast
expenditure. England, France and Russia
possessed between them II, 900 high power
naval guns, while the United States could
boast OF but %.
We had gone on in this way, Mr.. Feller,
continued, great many years. We were
at the absolute mercy of any people who
might choose to assail us. Ships, fortitica-
tions and guns could not he made in 4 day.
A hundred million dollars was stored in
the Treasury of Sal Francisco and sin-
gle iron clad could compel the authorities
to surrender it, or suffer the destruction OF
the city. Yet, COngSess sat on from day
TO day and considered whether the tax ought
not be taken off sugar or tobacco, or
the internal taxes be repealed. 1t was the
duty of the legislative branch Of the Gov
ernment TO take Immediate steps to pre-
vent the National disgrace The people be-
lieved guns and ships and Notifications
ought to be built, and he called attention
to the fact that 80 per cent. Of the expend-
itures would go to American labOrers.
The bill was then reported from the
Committee of the Whole to the Senate.
The general appropriation for the survey
of public lands was increased $50, 600 70
$75, 900, and the bill was then passed.
ORDNANCE MANUFACTURE.
Mr.. Hawley gave notice that he wonld
| NEXT Monday move To take ND the Senate